Book Review: The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon (Hardy Boys #3)

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Eventful and fun plot

Cons: Characters are weak

The Bottom Line:

Counterfeit money

Start the Hardys on new case

Fun for young readers

The Hardys Take on Counterfeiters

I know I read The Secret of the Old Mill years ago when I was a boy, but I didn’t remember much about the story until I started reading the first chapter.  Suddenly, the big picture of the plot came back to me.  Not that it kept me from enjoying the book a second time.

Frank and Joe Hardy’s father Fenton Hardy, the famous detective, is returning to town, and they’ve gone to the train station with their friend Chet to pick him up.  While they are waiting for his train, Chet is passed a counterfeit bill.  Naturally, Frank and Joe become interested in trying to find the counterfeiters.

Meanwhile, Fenton is working on a case he can’t discuss with his sons, and something strange is happening out at the new factory on the edge of town.  Things only get more interesting when Fenton receives a threatening note.  But which case is the note warning him away from?

As you can see, there is plenty here to keep young readers interested.  While a few of the bigger plot points are obvious to adults early on, watching how the Hardys piece things together is still fun.  Kids will certainly be hooked to find out just what is going.  Plus, there are several exciting events that happen along the way toward the climax.

I never noticed as a kid, but the characters in these books are rather weak.  The emphasis is on action over realistic characters or character development.  Honestly, I never minded as a kid, and I’m sure today’s kids won’t mind either.

The biggest issue might be how dated elements of the plot are, starting with Fenton Hardy traveling by train.  Who does that anymore?

The Hardy Boys books are fast reads, but they are still fun.  The Secret of the Old Mill is a book that fans of the brothers will gobble up and be left wanting to read more.